AFL enjoys bumper year so far – with more to come

With anotehr 10 weeks of school wrapped up last term, AFL Development programs have been put on hold over the School Holidays, but here’s a look at what we’ve done so far ...

In-school Football a big hit

Our in-school AFL programs ran for five weeks across the inner islands of the Torres Strait this term.

The sessions were completely free for all participants who attend school on the days that the AFL Cape York Game Development team visits.

They’re the entry point to our AFL programs and teach young people fundamental movements and football skills in a fun and supportive environment.

This term we conducted sessions at Horn Island

Primary, Thursday Island

Primary, Thursday Island

Senior campus, Sacred Heart – Thursday Island Campus and Sacred Heart – Kirriri.

Auskickers kicking goals

The after-school Auskick program was once again very popular with Sacred Heart, Tagai primary (Thursday Island) and Horn Island primary hosting After-school Auskick sessions.

This year over 110 participants signed up to join in on the AFL action afterschool.

Each participant also received their Auskick pack and football, so they can keep practicing their footy skills over the holidays!

High-school NPA/Tagai

Girls Debut at carnival

This term saw the first ever Tagai/NPA AFL team make their debut at the AFLQ Schools Cup – Junior Division in Cairns.

Not only was this the first time Tagai or NPA has entered a team, but it was the first time a team further north than Cairns has entered the competition.

The girls from Years 7, 8 & 9 from Thursday Island and Bamaga Campuses put on a show at their first ever full field AFL carnival, finishing third overall.

Off the field, the girls had the opportunity to have dinner and a tour of AFL Cape York House for girls, engage in team-building activities and take part in a team training session in Cairns.

NPA Primary School represents

NPA State College flew the flag for the region at the 2023 AFLQ Schools Cup – Primary division.

After their successful debut at the event last year, the team once again came to play with 15 players selected from Bamaga and Injinoo Campus.

Three players from the team also represented our AFL affiliate side the Cape York Eagles in the U13 mixed junior competition.

Sulia Ingui and Clarence Kulla Kulla took home the Most Valuable Player and Coaches award respectively.

Players also had the opportunity to visit AFL Cape York House for Boys and AFL Cape York House for Girls.

Artwork on display

The uniforms worn by both our AFLQ Schools Cup teams were designed by current NPA and AFL Cape York House students.

The NPA State College primary uniform was designed by NPASC school captain Meshach Mara-Namokand highlights the Meshach’s cultural practices.

After a captivating guernsey last year, Edna Grey-Muhamad (Seisia) designed our junior female uniform which displays the unique landscape of the NPA.

Crusaders at the State Championships

Our U12 Cape York/Torres Strait AFL team returned from the State School Australian Football Championships last month.

22 students from 14 communities took on some of Queensland’s best footballers.

10 of the 22 representatives were selected from Cape York or the Torres Strait, with the rest of their team mates coming from everywhere between Hope Vale and Kowanyama.

Samuel Nakata Bin-Juda (shadow) from Thursday Island and Sulia Ingui (Injinoo) were selected as part of the Queensland State representative team that will take on the rest of Australia in August.

Our programs are completely focused around giving young people opportunities to participate and gain life experiences, we wouldn’t be able to do that without some our partners this term which include;

Hinterland Aviation, Torres Strait Youth and Recreational Sporting Authority, Bamaga Enterprises Ltd, Torres Shire Council, Community Enterprises QLD, Weipa Town Authority and AFL Queensland.

What’s next?

Next term our focus will shift to NPA and the Outer Islands, will also see the return of the U12 Crusader Cup which will see all Torres Strait and NPA Year 5 & 6 students invited to a competitive junior football carnival.

More updates to come!